Orchins

[Calypso]

Hello I'm new to the orchid world. 6 months ago I had 10 orchids, now I have approx. (orphans orchid ). I mostly buy discounted orchids for that's all I can afford. So I now have approx 300 orphined orchids. I recently bought out a ladies collection. The orchids that I received from her were in bad need of attention, only one had a tag and all were full of weeds, death and bugs. I am in the process of trying to rejuvinate them all back to health. Does any one out there have any suggestions or remedies that can help? I have oncidium, odoglossum, epidendrum, phaleanopsis, vanda, paphiopedilum, dendrobium, cymbidium and others I can't identify.

Thanks for taking the time to read and hopefully respond.

go out and buy ortho's all about orchids it can help any newbi, go for it

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Post some pictures of the ones you can't identify. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[Orchid_lady]

I disagree with duhhdog. I have that book and all I can say is, that its a waste of money. The book leaves out alot of the details on the cared of orchids. It is more focus on the pictures of the plants. The book that has been the most helpfull and I find myself checking it more often at the public library is Orchids for dummies. This book is more about the caring of orchids than it is on the pictures. I wish I could have bought this book instead of the Ortho book. Oh well, thats what you get for wanting a fancy book.

[jerrymeola]

Most important do not be in too much of a rush. The collection you bought was living in spite of neglect and will continue to do so.

Identify each plant by family type. It is not important to know the exact name. Care within a family is usually consistent.

Care is basically the same for most common orchids. That is, good potting medium, water, light and fertilizer. Light levels vary by orchid family.

oncidium, odoglossum, 2500 foot candles
epidendrum, 3500 or more
Phalaenopsis, 1500 (grow indoors or shaded outside) like to stay slightly moist
Vanda, 6-8000 lots and lots of water. Almost no such thing as too much.
paphiopedilum, 900 (grow indoors or really shaded) Do not dry out keep moist
dendrobium, 3-5000 by type -- 3000 works for most
cymbidium 4-6000 and cool temperatures - so probably shade to lower temp and keep moist
Hard to believe there are no Cattleyas in the mix 3500 foot candles can dry out between watering.

You have some work re-potting everything but you do not need to be in a rush. Start with the ones which you do not like the way they look in the pot. It is spring and you should see new growth on most of the plants. Wait for the new growth before re-potting. It will make their adapting to your home easier.